Description

SS DORIC OCEAN LINER

FULLY BUILT AND READY TO DISPLAY BOAT MODEL

Dimension approx.: 34″ L x 4″ W x 11″ H
The model is already built. THIS IS NOT A MODEL SHIP KIT

The ship later known as SS Doric began her life as Shalom, launched in 1964 from Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint‑Nazaire, France. Built for Zim Israel Navigation, she was completed on 3 March 1964 and entered service on 17 April 1964 as one of the most modern and stylish liners of her era. Her early career was marked by both promise and tragedy: in November 1964, only months after entering service, she collided with the Norwegian tanker Stolt Dagali, cutting the tanker in half and resulting in significant loss of life. Shalom survived the accident, but the event cast a long shadow over her maiden years.

In May 1967, she was sold to Hanseatic Schiffahrts GmbH and renamed Hanseatic, beginning a new chapter under German ownership. Her first voyage as Hanseatic departed on 16 December 1967, and she soon became a familiar sight on European and transatlantic cruise routes. Her clean lines, stabilizers, air‑conditioned cabins, and three swimming pools made her a comfortable and modern ship for the late 1960s cruising market.

Her most fondly remembered era began in July 1973, when she was acquired by Home Lines, the Italian passenger company renowned for its elegant, formal cruising style. Renamed Doric, she sailed from New York to Bermuda and from Fort Lauderdale to the Caribbean, offering a refined onboard experience that passengers still recall with affection. Doric’s Italian crew, evening dress codes, orchestral entertainment, and lavish dinners created a warm, club‑like atmosphere that contrasted sharply with the more casual cruise culture emerging in the late 1970s. For many travelers, Doric embodied the last glow of traditional European‑style cruising.

Her career continued to evolve as the industry changed. In 1981, she was sold to Royal Cruise Line Ltd., extensively rebuilt, and reintroduced as Royal Odyssey on 28 May 1981. The reconstruction modernized her profile and interiors, preparing her for a new decade of global cruising. In 1988, she was purchased by Regency Cruises and renamed Regent Sun, entering service on 9 December 1988. Under Regency, she sailed a variety of Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries until the company’s collapse in the mid‑1990s.

As built, the ship measured 627 feet in length with an 81‑foot beam, powered by twin screws delivering 25,000 horsepower for a top speed of 21 knots. Her amenities — stabilizers, cinema, multiple pools, and tender service — made her a versatile vessel capable of both line voyages and resort‑style cruising.

Across more than three decades, the ship known variously as Shalom, Hanseatic, Doric, Royal Odyssey, and Regent Sun reflected the shifting landscape of mid‑to‑late 20th‑century ocean travel. Her years with Home Lines remain the most cherished, remembered for their elegance, formality, and the uniquely Italian warmth that defined the company’s reputation. Today, the SS Doric’s story stands as a testament to the adaptability of classic liners and the enduring nostalgia for the golden age of cruising.